Hot coffee dispenser



Sept. 25, 1951 R. E. PARKER HOT COFFEE DISPENSER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 17, 1948 Y/VVE/VTOR. Aa/ah 5 Parker ATTORNEY- Sept. 25, 1951 R. E. PARKER 2,569,257

HOT COFFEE DISPENSER Y I Filed June 17, 1948 3 Shee ts-Sheet 2 Qzvmvron Aq/afi 5 Parker ATTOENEK Sept. 25, 1951 v R, E, P ER 2,569,257

' I HOT COFFEE DISPENSER Filed June 17, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

INVENTOR.

$4M 5 Parker Patented Sept. 25, 1951 UNITED ,STATES PATENT OFFICE r 2,569,257 nor COFFEE DISPENSER Ralph: E; Parker, Wichita, Kans. Application June 17, 1948, Serial No. 33,496

3 Claims. (01. 225-21) This invention relates to coin controlled vending mechanisms and more particularly toa' device for automatically dispensing a hot drink such as cofi'ee, together with sugar and/or cream,

as the purchaser desires, the primary object being to provide a relatively inexpensive structure that is easily manufactured and simple to operate, yet as efiicient in operation as the more expensive and the highly complicated conventional types of such machines.

The most important object of this invention is the provision of a dispenser for coffee or the like having a container for the coffee itself and containers for sugar and cream respectively, each having a separate vending mechanism manually operable to dispense the particular ingredient in measured quantities, the sugar and cream mechanisms being normally inoperable and rendered capable of manual operation only through ac- 0 tuation of the coffee vending mechanism,

Another object of this invention is to provide in a dispenser of the aforementioned character a normally locked device for each of the sugar and cream vending mechanisms respectively shiftable to an unlocked position by parts forming a part of the manually actuated structure for vending the cofiee. j

A further object of this invention is to provide a dispenser having locking means as above, set forth provided with elements for yieldably holding the same in either the locked or unlocked position.

A still further object of this invention is to provide locking means as just above mentioned having structure forming a part of the cream and sugar vending mechanisms respectively for automatically moving the locking means toward the locked position. f

Another important object of this invention is to provide a. specially formed coin control, wherein the coin that is inserted by the customer joins together the sections of a rotatable'shaft, to the end that such sections will rotate together and having means for moving the coin from the sections after the coffee has been dispensed and as the rotatable shaft returns to the normal lif operative position.

Many other objects of this invention relate to details of construction, such as the precise way in which the vending mechanisms themselves are formed; the way in which conventional containers may be used if desired for the ingredients; the simple and easy manner of filling the dispenser with the ingredients; the way in which the entire structuremay be kept'clean net 24. therein for receiving a padlock 34 or other fas- 2 I with a minimum of effort and other advantageous features, all of which will be made. clear as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a hot coffee dispenser made in accordance with the present invention, parts being broken away to reveal details of construction.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged, cross-sectional view taken on line III-III of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line IVIV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view taken on line V-V of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to that illustrated in Fig. 5, but showing the coin removing device in a different position.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line VII-VII of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, transverse, cross-sectional view taken on line VIII-VIII of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, detailed, cross-sectional view taken on line IX-IX of Fig. 8.

In the drawing, and particularly as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a vertical, preferably tubular, standard l0, suitably mounted in any manner not herein shown, serves as a support for the hot coffee dispenser about to be described. A pair of brackets I2 and I4 clamped to the standard l0 and joined together by a bar I6 have a pair of spaced-apart normally horizontal arms I8 and 20 extending laterally therefrom. The arm 20 is preferably rigid and immovable, while arm 3 is swingably mounted through the medium of a pivot pin 22.

A hollow, cylindrical, cabinet broadlydesignated by the numeral 24 is supported by the arms [8 and 20. Arm 2!! is bifurcated as shown in Fig. 1 and has a pivot pin 26 passing through a down-turned projection 28 on the normally bottom wall of cabinet 24, said projection 28 being disposed between the furcations of arm 20.

The arm I8 is U-shaped in cross section, as shown in Fig. 1, and has a slot formed in the bight thereof near the outermost free end for receiving an upturned ear 30 mounted upon the uppermost face of a removable lid 32 for cabi- This ear 32 has an opening formed tening means.

A plurality of receptacles for ingredients to be mixed in forming a drink are disposed within the cabinet 24. These receptacles include a cream container 36 (Fig. 7), a sugar container 38 (Fig. 8), and a hot cofiee receptacle 40 (Figs. 1 and 3). Each of these receptacles 36, 38 and 40 is provided with manually operable vending structure broadly designated by the numerals 42, 44 and 46, respectively.

The vending structure 46 for the receptacle 40 includes a hollow chamber 48 having a pair of spaced-apart bearings 50 and 52 mounted on the side walls thereof for rotatably receiving an elongated normally horizontal shaft 54. This shaft 54 is sectional, there being three sections designated by the numerals 56, 58 and 60, respectively.

The section 56 of shaft 54 passes through the bearing 50 and is secured at its innermost end by means of a flange coupling 62 to one end wall 64 of a cylindrical body 66. The opposite end of the body 66 receives the section 58 of shaft 54 in the same manner, this section 58 passing through the bearing 52.

Body 66 is rotatably mounted within a solid block 68 disposed within the chamber 48 and encased within suitable insulation 10. A port I2 is formed in the side wall of cylindrical body 66 and this port I2 is normally in register with a drain spout broadly designated by the numeral I4. This drain spout I4 has one section 16 thereof formed in the bottom of the block 68, another section I8 formed in amember 80 also mounted within the insulation I of chamber 48, and a third section registering with section I8 and constituting an elongated tubular member 82 extending outwardly from the chamber 48 and, also, to the exterior of cabinet 24 as illustrated in Figs.

1 and 2. 1

As shown in Figs. .3 and 4, the block 68 extends upwardly through the chamber 48 and has an inlet opening 84 formed therein communicating with the receptacle 40 and disposed to register with the port I2 of body 66 when the latteris rotated in the manner hereinafter more fully described.

It is contemplated that the receptacle 40 for containing prepared coffee constitute a conventional type of thermos container or a receptacle of like construction having a neck 86 that circumscribes that portion of block 68 extending in Figs. 3 and 4. A liquid seal is provided by means of a gasket or the like 88 that circumscribes that portion of the block 68 for receiving neck 86 of receptacle 40, together with a gasket 89 that supports the lowermost edge of neck 86 of receptacle 40.

The block 68, also, supports a shell 90 that houses the receptacle 40. A gasket 92 is interposed between the neck of shell 90 and neck .86

of receptacle 40 to present an additional seal. It

is thus seen that inasmuch as the walls of shell 90 are spaced from the outermost face of receptacle 40, a dead air space 04 is presented for additional insulation to maintain the coffee within the receptacle 40 in a heated condition.

In addition to the shell 96 and receptacle 40 resting upon the block 68 of the assembly 46, these two members are held in position by means of a screw 96. A cross bar 98 mounted in the lid 32 of cabinet 24 threadably receives the screw 96, and the latter is provided with an out-turned flange I00 at its lowermost end thatbears against the uppermost end of shell 90. A resilient plate upwardly above chamber 48 in the manner shown '50 4 receptacle 40 and shell 90 serves to hold the receptacle 40 in place when the screw 96 is moved to the operative position shown in Fig. l.

The proximal ends of the sections 58 and 66 of shaft 54 are provided with collars I64 and I06 respectively, each provided with a continuous annular groove I08. The collars I04 and I06 are provided with normally registering radial slots IIO disposed upwardly for receiving a coin or the like II2 that is inserted by the customer through an opening II4 formed in the container 24. A coin chute II6 directs the coin II2 from the opening II4 to the slots H6 of collars I64 and I06.

A plate H8, hingedly mounted as at I26 at a point above the shaft 54 and collars I04 and I66, depends downwardly and rests upon the collars I04 and I06. The lowermost edge of this plate H8 is provided with a pair of ears I22 that normally fit within the annular grooves I68 of collars I04 and I06. As illustrated in Figs. 3, 5 and 6, when the coin H2 is initially inserted in the slots I I0, the flap or plate I I8 is disposed on one side of coin II2, this flap II8 actually forming a part of the coin chute I I6 at its lowermost end.

The flap H8 is yieldably held in the position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5 by a spring I24 that is mounted directly upon the coin chute I I6 and depends downwardly to rest directly against the outermost face of flap IIB below hinge pin I26, as shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6.

Manipulation of the shaft 54 is through the medium of a crank I26 mounted exteriorly of the cabinet 24 and directly upon the outermost end of section 60 of shaft 54. This section 60 is journalled for rotation in a bearing I28 mounted within the cabinet 24. I

Sections 56 and 58 of shaft 54 are normally held in the inoperative position shown in Fig. 3 by means of a spring I30 coiled about section 53 and having one end thereof fixed to said section 58. The opposite end of spring I35 is secured to any immovable part of the dispenser, such as the coin chute II6. As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the depending ears I22 of the flap II8 are curved to conform to the contour of the grooves I08 of collars I04 and I06, presenting relatively sharp outermost free ends I32.

It is clear from the foregoing that before any coin H2 is inserted in slot II4, manipulation of crank I26 will only cause rotation of section 60; of shaft 54 and the collar I06. The sections 56 and 58, together with the parts of the assembly joined thereto, will remain in the normal inoperative position by virtue of the spring I30. When, however, a coin is inserted by a purchaser, the collars I04 and I06 will be joined by such coin 5 I2 and subsequent movement of the arm I26 in the direction of the arrows shown in Fig. 2 will cause simultaneous rotation of .all sections 56, 50 and 60 of shaft 54.

As the two collars I04 and I66 rotate together with the coin I I2, the flap I I8 will be swung outwardly on hinge pin I20 against the action of spring I24 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 6. As shaft 54 is continued to be rotated, the uppermost edge of coin II2, which projects above the collars I04 and I06, will move to a position clearing the lowermost edge of plate H8, and, therefore, the sharp edges I32 of thetwo ears I22.

When the shaft 54 is returned to the original inoperative position either by virtue of the spring I30 or by operator manipulation, one face of coin II2 will strike the sharp edges I32 of flap IIS.

I02 interposed between the uppermost ends of The coin H2 w ll then, e aut ma lly p l d from the slots IIO for disposition-in a coin box I34. After this coin II2 drops into the coin box I34, the shaft 54 is free "to return to the normal inoperative position and. the section 60 thereof is again free to rotate separately from sections 56 and 58. Radial pins I36 on the sections 58 and 60 of shaft 54 strike stops I38 for limiting the rotation of shaft 54 in the opposite direction.

It is further clear that when the shaf t 54 is thus rotated, because of the action of coin H2, the port 12 of cylindrical body 66 will move to a point where the same is in register with inlet opening 80 that communicates with receptacle 40.

Any suitable means (not shown) may be used to limit the extent of rotation of the shaft 54 to 180, to the end that port "will register with opening 84. When so registered, theliquid coffee will flow into the body 66 until the same is full, thereby providing a measured quantity of such coffee which will be dispensed through the spout 14 when body 66 returns to the normal position illustrated in Fig. 3.

It is to be understood that the description thus 4 far includes the vending only of black liquid coffee. If the purchaser desires sugar and/or cream, he actuates vending structures 42 and 44 shown in Figs. '7 and 8 respectively, after coin II2 has been inserted, and after the crank I26 has been actuated.

The cream vending mechanism 42 includes a body I40 having an upturned projection I42 for receiving the neck of cream container 36 that is, in turn, provided with an inlet opening I44. A longitudinal bore I46, preferably of polygonal cross-sectional contour, is formed in body I40 and registers with the opening I44 as well as with a spout I41 that extends to the exterior of cabinet 24 as shown in Fig. 1.

A hollow container I48 is reciprocably mounted within the bore I46 and has a plunger pin I 50 extending outwardly from one end thereof beyond the body I40. This container I48 has an inlet opening I52 in the top thereof and an offset outlet opening I54 formed in its bottom wall.

It is thus seen that, when the container I48 is at the outermost end of its path of travel and in the normal position shown in Fig. '1, the opening I54 is in register with drain spout I46. Conversely, when the container I48 is at the innermost end of its path of travel, opening I54 moves out of register with the spout I46 and the inlet opening I52 is moved to a point where the same communicates with the opening I44 that extends into the container 36.

That end of the container I40 opposite to the plunger rod I50 has an elongated pin I56 extending outwardly from body I40. A coil spring I58 is interposed between the outermost free end of pin I56 and a bracket I60 to yieldabl hold the container I48 in the normal position shown in Fig. 7.

When the assembly 42 is in this said position, a locking structure broadly designated by the numeral i62 releasably holds the container I48 against reciprocable movement. This locking structure I62 includes a dog I64 swingably mounted on a horizontal axis within a U-shaped bracket I66. One end of this dog I64 has a notch formed therein conforming to the contour of pin I56 and fittable into an annular groove I68 formed in the pin I56.

An off-center pin and spring assembly I10, joining bracket I66 and dog I64, yieldably holds the dog I64 in a locking position within the groove I68 As shown in Fig. 3, a radial pin I14 mounted upon section 56 of shaft 54 is disposed to engage the dog I64 when the shaft 54 is rotated. This engagement causes rotation of dog I64 in bracket I66, releasing the dog I64 and moving the latter to a point where spring assembly I10 yieldably holds dog I64 in the unlocked position.

It is thus seen that a customer cannot cause vending of cream until the coin II2 has been inserted and the shaft 54 rotated, Since such rotation causes release of the locking assembly I62. The operator may then cause vending of a quantity of cream in accordance with the size of container I48 by manipulation of plunger I50 against the action of spring I58.

As the plunger I50 moves inwardly, the outermost free end of the pin I56 comes into contact with a downturned portion on dog I64 opposite to the notch for engaging groove I68 to return the dog I64 to a position where it will again lock with groove I68 after plunger I50 reaches the outermost end of its path of travel.

The sugar container 38 is registrable at its lowermost end with a hollow body I16 that has a reciprocableblock I18 mounted therein. A plunger I80 joint with this block I18 and has a plate I82 secured thereto in spaced relationship to one end of block I18. Body I16 has an outlet opening I84 that normally registers with the space between plate I 82 and the proximal end of block I18. As plunger I80 is moved inwardly, sugar is free to flow from container 38 into the body I16 and particularly in said space between plate I82 and block I18.

Locking means I86 for the sugar dispensing assembly 44 is essentially the same as that just above described with respect to locking means I62. As shown in Fig. 9, the dog I64, as well as the dog for the assembly 44, is U-shaped in cross section and has the Din I 56 disposed between its legs.

A pin I88 comparable to pin I56 is joined to the block I18 and a spring I90 on pin I88 normally holds the block I18 at the innermost end of its path of travel. A knob I92 on the pin I88 serves to return the dog for locking means I86 toward the locking position. As shown in Fig. 3, a radial pin I94 on the shaft 54 actuates the dog for locking means I86.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that an operator may, by the insertion of a coin H2, in the cabinet 24, obtain a drink that is either black coffee, coffee with sugar, coffee with cream, or coffee with cream and sugar, as he desires. In the event that he does not actuate the vending structures 42 and 44, the next purchaser may make an insertion of a coin and include sugar and/or cream, if he desires, since the operation of the coffee vending means can work independently of the sugar and cream dispenser.

If desired, the cabinet may be provided with cup dispensers, either of the automatic type or purely a vertical receptacle from which cups 200 depend as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

' such modifications as fairly come within the scope of the appended claims are contemplated hereby.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a dispenser of the kind described, an ingredient container; reciprocable structure for vending said ingredient from the container in measured quantities; shiftable means normally engaging said structure for holding the same against reciprocation; and manually operable means for releasing said holding means, said holding means having parts for yieldably holding the same in either the normal position or the released position.

2'. In a dispenser of the kind described, an ingredient container; reciprocable structure for vending said ingredient from the container in measured quantities; shiftable means normally engaging said structure for holding the same against reciprocation; and manually operable means for releasing said holding means; and parts forming a portion of said structure, and engageable with said holding means upon movement of the structure in one direction for returning the holding means toward its normal position for engaging said structure.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 434,768 Cochran Aug. 19, 1890 484,573 Schnoor Oct. 18, 1892 943,649 Buck Dec. 21, 1909 1,520,560 Burno Dec. 23, 1924 1,568,574 Speer Jan. 5, 1926 1,753,278 Westberg et al Apr. 8, 1930 1,767,256 Pocock June 24, 1930 2,462,019 Bowman Feb. 15, 1949 

